Small-displacement customs are some of the most fun builds. Their lower-price makes them smaller investments and therefor more accessible to your average rider or builder, when the donor-bike is dramatically less-expensive, you have more funds to play with. There have also been some particularly interesting collaborative builds between custom moto-shops and various (non-moto-industry) companies such as the TW Steel X Diamond Atelier “Son of Time” XSR900, Cardinal Motors X Dom Vetro BMW R100/7 custom, or even the Roland Sands X Technics 2010 H-D Sportster I recently featured. This unique little custom scoot is the result of Phylia Studio and Mokka Cycles – both based out of Budapest, Hungary – teaming up to create one awesome bespoke 1980 Peripoli Oxford moped/scooter.
Moto Peripoli’s Oxford model was produced in the 80’s and 90’s and boasts a very recognizable design thanks to its unique and easily-distinguishable frame which internally houses the machine’s gas tank. The Oxford has been produced in a variety of sub-100cc displacements in three and four-speed versions. The model was so popular that Peripoli even produced a bicycle version of the Oxford for a period, with the human-powered Oxford’s design closely mimicking that of the motorized version with a similar frame – covered in plastic panels to look more like the moped – the same three-armed wheels and color-scheme, and even the bicycle’s headlight. Both Oxford variants also featured drum brakes.
This custom example that was born out of Phylia and Mokka’s joint-effort is powered by a 50cc single that’s had its cylinder bored to “about” 70cc’s. The bored-out Franco Morini single (Franco Morini supplied the engines for the Oxford) on this example has been given new seals and gaskets, bearings, connecting rod, and piston, and now inhales through a new Dell’Orto carb and exhales burnt fumes via a custom handmade stainless-steel exhaust. A new Ducati Energia ignition-system has been added along with new YSS rear-suspenders.
Though this is a relatively straight forward build, it nonetheless possesses a myriad of fantastic minor touches that give it exponentially more flavor, albeit the stock Oxford is a pretty funky scoot to begin with. The defining feature is a yellow, custom, handmade/stitched leather seat/pad that plays off the unique shape of the Oxford’s frame, running the entire length of the two-wheeler and giving it a new silhouette, helped along by the addition of a (yellow) low-profile headlight unit cleaning up the shape in the front. The three-armed wheel’s paint-job adds a surprising amount of character, as do the two companies’ names found near the frame’s neck. Because the majority of the machine has been coated in flat-black, the pastel yellow, white, red, and blue highlights throughout the build really pop.
Phylia Studios is the operation of Zsofi Fenyvesi, a self-proclaimed designer, artist, skater, and biker. The multifaceted woman churns out custom skateboards, textiles, artwork, woodwork, and a whole lot more from her Budapest studio. This colorful Oxford build is fitted with a bespoke skateboard carrier with the words: “Phylia” and “Mokka” cut-out of the metal in a stencil-type. The Hungarian-built, custom Italian scoot includes a one-off long-board created by Phylia Studios that fits the bike’s board-rack and matches the build’s color-scheme.
Mokka Cycles is a two-man operation that creates one-of-a-kind motorcycles out of a small shop (also in Budapest). Mokka’s slogan is “Pure Life – Built By Dreams,” a philosophy described by the shop as “A mission to build unique and stylish motorbikes fulfilled with dreams and passion without any compromises.” The pair of Hungarian builders have breathed new life into a couple of old quarter-liter Suzuki’s and while they’re relatively minimalistic builds, they’re still solid custom builds that are incredibly clean.
Because documentation is not required for mopeds in Hungary, this example doesn’t have any paperwork. Though I’m confident registration could be sorted out just about anywhere. The seller also says shipping is available within Europe for just $300 (or €250), so I imagine shipping to the US or Canada could be arranged for a bit more. This is a particularly cool and laid-back build that would make for a wonderful neighborhood cruiser, and despite its being heavily customized, because it’s built around a sub-100cc moped, it has a relatively low-price. At the end of the day this is a fun two-wheeler, and that’s the only thing motorcycles really need to be.
You can find this custom Phylia Studios X Mokka Cycles’ 1980 Moto Peripoli Oxford Moped build for sale here on TheBikeShed in Budapest, Hungary with a price of $3,425 (or €2,900).
Photos by Peter Mosoni Photography